The Montreal Victoire announced Monday they placed star goaltender Ann-Renee Desbiens on long-term injured reserve retroactive to March 18.
"The results from the medical exams following her injury are encouraging, and we expect her to return in the near future," general manager Daniele Sauvageau said in a release. "This type of injury will require a weekly, if not daily, follow-ups."
Montreal signed netminder Tricia Deguire to a standard player agreement in a corresponding move.
PWHL rules stipulate players on LTIR must miss a minimum of 21 days, which would coincidentally bring Desbiens to April 8 - the day before the start of the Women's World Championship in Czechia.
Desbiens suffered a lower-body injury during the Victoire's 3-2 shootout loss to the Boston Fleet on March 18. She was helped off the ice after an awkward fall in the second period, and she's missed the club's last two games - a 2-1 loss to the Toronto Sceptres and a 4-1 victory over the Minnesota Frost.
Montreal will play the New York Sirens on Tuesday before breaking for the Worlds and will resume action April 26.
Desbiens' status for Team Canada at the tournament has not yet been confirmed, but she was named to the roster despite her injury. She was on the ice prior to the Victoire's practice Monday in full equipment.
The 30-year-old has been lights out this season, posting a league-leading .932 save percentage, a 1.85 goals-against average, and 13 wins in 19 appearances.